(some of) my events
- 2023-11-16 Psychological perspectives on understanding human decision-making in situations involving risk and uncertainty (attending symposium, Stockholm)
- 2023-08-23--24 Riskbaserat arbetssätt (teaching course, Stockholm)
- 2023-05-30 Informationssäkerhet och risk (pod interview in Swedish)
- 2023-05-11 Certifierad IT-arkitekt (guest lecturing, Stockholm)
- 2022-12-05 Datavetenskapliga programmet (guest lecturing, University of Gävle)
2006-12-27
quote of the day
2006-12-18
twinkle, oh Christer
Tonight let’s try to keep two distinct thoughts in mind simultaneously.
- Yes, space exploration is a good thing. It’s being pursued jointly by many countries and I’m old enough to remember when two superpowers raced to the moon without sharing one iota of information.
- No, the proportions and the level of enthusiasm in mainstream media over this routine flight (just because one of the astronauts happens to be a Swede) is ridiculous. The world needs less nationalism and flag-waving.
2006-12-01
2006-11-26
reasons to smile today
- a nice dinner with some special colleagues this week
- another day without snow and ice on the roads
- finished the Risk Management course without catching a cold
- a lovely weekend at the cottage
- another day with a non-socialist government
- listening to SR X
- today’s BC
- incredibly stupid spam offers constantly arriving
- a couple of tickets for Ramel à la Carte next weekend
- being healthy, having time and freedom to blog
2006-11-15
thanks, fellow tax payers!
2006-11-08
2006-11-01
2006-10-25
back in school
As an adult I spent four years at the university, still with good degrees. This time obviously I had a target as I was aiming for a particular exam. But, amazingly, there was still no joy in studying. I was (and I am) interested in my profession but the minute I actually *have* to read a particular book and be done by a particular date it becomes an obligation and booring.
Fifteen years after my exam I sort of returned, this time for some odd courses to be completed while working in parallel. There is no pressure; I’m doing this because I want to. So let’s see. Maybe I’ll finally experience some joy in studying? I’ve always envied those who do.
2006-10-18
time will tell
Our beloved media tend to paint the world in black and white. Unfortunately reality is not quite that simple. Here’s an exercise. I suggest we try to keep the following two thoughts in mind simultaneously.
It is perfectly natural and in fact necessary that ministers who lose their personal credibility resign to stop embarrassing the government and make way for someone who can get the job done.
It is entirely unreasonable after a couple of weeks with this government to draw any political conclusions about the ability of the Alliance. It has delivered beyond expectations ever since it was formed a couple of years ago and I think they’re capable of pursuing their agenda. Reinfeldt and his ministers are fully aware of their unique historic opportunity.
2006-10-11
bending the rules
others on samhälle politik ledarskap förebild
2006-10-10
the first mistake
Leaving aside the fact that outgoing speaker Björn von Sydow was widely popular and did a good job as far as anyone can tell the fact remains that this position is really above party politics. The new government has made a point of changing routines for all sorts of appointments in the state. Merits and person should count, party book should not and the process should be open. So, what a great opportunity the Alliance missed here. By agreeing generously to keep a successful speaker from the Social Democrats they would have sent the signal that merits matter. More chances will come but they really blew this one.
2006-10-07
2006-10-06
different corner, 23 years later
The main argument against Bildt as foreign minister is that being former Prime Minister and party leader he is simply too strong for a ministerial position, particularly when the PM-elect is a relatively young and unproven man like Reinfeldt. I agree and this is precisely why I didn’t think Bildt would be chosen or – for that matter – that he would accept. Now he is and he has and we’ll have to trust the parties to manage their relations. Second-guessing without really knowing the inner circles won’t do any good.
One interesting observation about Bildt is that after a life in or near Swedish politics he has crossed the stage from one side to the other.
In the early eighties the young opposition politician Bildt infuriated Olof Palme by discussing foreign matters abroad, particularly Swedish-Soviet relations and suspicions of red submarines penetrating our defenses. Palme even took the unprecedented step to have his entire government formally condemn Bildt’s foreign activities. No ambitious politician was allowed to compete with Palme on the international scene and particularly not someone from the Moderate party. Bildt should stay away from foreign matters.
Almost a quarter of a century later Carl Bildt finds himself in a position where we hope that he will concentrate exclusively on foreign matters and stay away from domestic issues where he most likely doesn’t always agree with the new party course of Reinfeldt and where he might create confusion, undermining Reinfeldt’s leadership.
2006-10-03
dancing into opposition
2006-10-01
October at Sydkoster
2006-09-25
brand-new conservatives?
What exactly is a conservative party with a brand-new agenda? Has anyone seen such a thing? Sounds like a contradiction in terms to me.
Don’t get me wrong. Ousting Persson was a necessity before Sweden became a one-party-state. I’m glad the Social Democrats were defeated. But the new majority didn’t offer a shift from the leftist agenda; they merely adopted parts of it. So how can they set a new course without a clear mandate? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, what happens with the conservative electorate Reinfeldt left behind in the process? Those of us who think that big government, monopolistic trade unions and excessive taxation are key problems in Sweden, how should we vote in 2010?
2006-09-22
patriots of the world
Sweden has been affected by globalization and migration over the recent decades and some of us will always be afraid of the unknown, different languages and cultures. In a fully functional society where there is a job market even for those who cannot speak the local language fluently newcomers can quickly get started making a living on their own. Not so in Sweden where new citizens often become isolated and passive receivers of state welfare support on a long-term or even permanent basis.
With our ailing integration policy Sverigedemokraterna can count on further growth and they may well enter our Riksdag in 2010 so the prospect is not entirely pleasant. Still, there’s no need for panic. If and when more than 4% of Swedes were to share their views they should be represented in the Riksdag and these issues need an open debate. Besides, we’ve had communists in our parliament for decades and our schools don’t seem to prioritize teaching history so what else could be expected?
others on sverigedemokraterna val 2006 integration politik
2006-09-21
a new center of the Solar System
The party is looking for a new leader and many are calling for EU Commissioner Margot Wallström expecting her to leave her mission in Brussels and come home to take the lead after Göran Persson. Wallström would certainly be a good candidate for many positions but – excuse me for suggesting this – her current job is vastly more important for the people of Europe than becoming a party chair in Stockholm. I’m amazed that so many people fail to realize what a vital position Wallström holds, being number two in the Commission. She’s doing a great job and would be ill advised to terminate prematurely what she calls her mission irresistible.
others on val 2006 wallström socialdemokraterna eu
2006-09-20
this is it
2006-09-04
old party, old passwords
Obviously, if the investigation would reveal intrusions that would be just as unacceptable as other irregularities during this campaign. They all contribute to undermining our democracy.
The opposition party Folkpartiet is supposed to have directed their campaign using key information from their opponents. One example would be that on August 3 the opposition leaders proclaimed that they would make a joint bus tour at the same day when Prime Minister Persson had announced his own bus tour. How extraordinary! Who has ever heard about politicians traveling before an election? Obviously, this must be a major conspiracy...
One commentator makes confused comparisons with Watergate. Well, for the record, Watergate was about a third-rate burglary and wouldn’t have been remembered at all unless it had been followed by a major cover-up. I wouldn’t compare that with today’s embarrassment and excuses.
One final point from a slightly different perspective. If people in the inner circle of the Social Democratic party are given access to sensitive information it might be a good idea for them to keep it to themselves. Any citizen today is supposed to be able to protect pin codes and similar personal secrets. If you do change your password once in a while you wouldn’t have to shout about someone misusing it for half a year or more.
others on intrång socialdemokraterna password val 2006
2006-09-01
September in Storulvån
2006-08-26
wasting your money
others on eu strasbourg slöseri oneseat
2006-08-22
not quite like 1976…
Imagine that: ”we won’t appear in the same picture but vote for us and we’ll run the country in close cooperation”. Yeah right.
Well, things have improved. Hägglund, Olofsson, Leijonborg and Reinfeldt appear to get along well and they’ll be needing that in the years to come. So it’s not entirely like 1976. But as far as politics and courage is concerned Reinfeldt still has a lot of convincing to do.
1976 all over again?
1976 was the first time in post-war history when the Social Democrats were defeated in a national Swedish election. The center-right governments that followed managed to keep Olof Palme in opposition for six years. But they failed in many other respects. Yes, they did prove that the nation could indeed be ruled by someone else which actually was far from certain in the minds of many. But the coalitions fell apart and Sweden saw no less than four non-socialist governments during this period. Most notably the center-right parties failed to set a new course. True, they did inherit a collapsing economy but they in essence delivered more of the same big government, big spending politics of Palme.
In 1991 the center-right regained power. With an economy in turmoil and without a majority in the Riksdag they still had the clout to set a new course and give Sweden the new start they had promised. The voters punished them for economic hardships and the Bildt government was defeated in the next election but they did make a difference and today’s booming economy is a visible result.
Now, 2006. The center-right has a substantial chance of regaining power in the September 17 election. They could form a majority government and maybe, just maybe, they could be looking at a sound economy for the coming years. How would they use this opportunity? Which road would Fredrik Reinfeldt take? Has he got the courage to challenge the labor unions and big government? Or is it 1976 all over again, new faces and no vision? I wonder.
2006-08-21
the worst since 1914?
At the moment, the opinion polls are giving the ruling Social Democrats 34-35% support. When they lost power in 1976 they achieved 42,7% and when they lost in 1991 they achieved 37,7% - so obviously, they are in a rather difficult situation.
As they had 39,9% in the 2002 election, it looks very likely indeed that Prime Minister Göran Persson will finish his political career with a rather substantial defeat for the party.
Full post here.
others on persson val2006 historia
2006-08-13
top ten Persson (3) the Statesman
Someone might argue that we’ve become boring. To some extent this is true and some are clearly unhappy. Gone are the heydays of Olof Palme who rarely missed an opportunity to flirt publicly with communists on various continents while at the same time pursuing a policy of secret partnership with NATO in defense matters. If that isn’t hypocrisy I don’t know what is.
Now Swedish-US relations are splendid and cooperation within The Union grows smoother every year with the Swedish Presidency in 2001 generally viewed as a success. Again, this is not exclusively due to the statesmanship of Göran Persson but a lot of progress has occurred on his watch and he has no doubt helped move Sweden from the fringes to a center position.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
2 ...
3 the Statesman
4 fiscal responsibility
5 building on Bildt
6 the Survivor
7 a Stockholm less congested
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
others on persson top10persson politik sverige
2006-08-11
outstripped
- radio listening is up
- public service increases its dominance over commercial radio
- sales of digital tuners have outstripped those of analogue radio
Wow, that’s great news! Sure is. Unfortunately, it’s not about Sweden. Remember this? We're talking about the UK. Incidentally they started DAB broadcasting at the same time, in 1995. What a difference a government makes.
2006-08-05
"brown hairy sick nurse"
Just listen here or (if you're a serious student) start reading at the beginning.
others on: språk kurs svenska swedish
2006-08-01
August in Norrköping
2006-07-31
2006-07-27
"no Motherland without you"
2006-07-26
living with your neighbor
Warfare is ugly business, civilians can and will come in harm’s way. This is especially true when the hostile militants such as Hamas and Hezbollah deliberately establish bases in residential areas. Israel must take every precaution possible to minimize collateral damage. Choosing to target government facilities in Gaza at night when they’re empty is an indication of how Israel tries to avoid casualties.
The current exchange of hostilities, regrettable as it is, is not yet a full scale war. Israel retains the capacity to flatten Gaza and Lebanon entirely and the militants currently testing Israel’s patience would be the first to notice if and when Israel decides to abandon its policy of restraint.
Still, you might not love your neighbor but you have to live with him. From that perspective this is a conflict without winners.
2006-07-21
top ten Persson (4) fiscal responsibility
Life used to be easy for the Social Democrats and in particular their finance ministers. Few if any Swedish politicians in recent years have been more overrated than Gunnar Sträng (Minister for Finance 1955-1976) who presided over a booming post-war economy and had but one solution to any budget challenge: raise taxes, always raise the taxes.
When Persson took control of the finances, much of the renovating groundwork and many painful decisions were already taken care of by the Bildt government. But interest rates had skyrocketed, the markets were suspicious about our fiscal discipline and raising taxes was generally not an option any longer in the global era of open, competing economies.
Throughout his years in government Göran Persson has maintained a procedure where the parliament stipulates in advance a ceiling on government expenditure. The discipline has been far from perfect. Instead of further cuts in spending the government has tried, year by year, to balance the budget through one-time efforts like selling state-owned companies or sometimes postponing expenditures from December to January. We haven’t reduced the foreign debt the way we should and we’re not prepared for the looming crisis where fewer Swedes in active years will have to take care of a growing number of elderly.
Still, interest rates bear witness to the fact that the markets have recognized the fiscal responsibility of the twelve-year Persson regime.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
3 ...
4 fiscal responsibility
5 building on Bildt
6 the Survivor
7 a Stockholm less congested
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-07-12
more whining than dining (2)
2006-07-09
top ten Persson (5) building on Bildt
The first day of sickness is a qualifying day ("karensdag"). The new pension system involves a modest portion ”premiepension” which is actually managed by the individual. Tax funding for schools is extended to scores of private schools. Various markets are deregulated.
These are all examples of what the right-wing Bildt government managed to introduce during its brief three year term while simultaneously facing a collapsing state economy and a major crisis in the financial sector.
The Social Democrats regained power in 1994 after three years of relentless criticism of the new course. Persson became finance minister and in 1996 prime minister. And what did he do about all of this? Basically nothing. Sweden in many respects stays the course of Bildt and Persson is harvesting the fruits.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
4 ...
5 building on Bildt
6 the Survivor
7 a Stockholm less congested
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-07-02
July in Katrineholm

Katrineholm

Parting shot before boarding X2000 again after a summer evening in Katrineholm. As a matter of fact, it did rain first but just for a while. I was lucky as always in 2004. Go see.
2006-06-25
2006-06-22
on sharing and caring
2006-06-19
top ten Persson (6) the Survivor
You don’t have to love him. In fact, few people do. He stays on top anyway. Unlike his predecessors Palme (who was loved and hated wherever he went) and Carlsson (who rarely stirred any emotions) Persson is sort of “disliked but respected”.
And he does survive. I remember election night 1994 when former Moderate leader Bohman expressed deep worries that the nation could be facing all sorts of turmoil and hardship due to the socialist majority. I completely agreed with him. We were both completely wrong. Persson has managed to keep his odd informal red-green coalition together and unless the voters have him removed there is no internal party opposition capable of doing that.
Persson survives and stays as long as he pleases.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
5 ...
6 the Survivor
7 a Stockholm less congested
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-06-12
top ten Persson (7) a Stockholm less congested
A road congestion tax has been introduced for a trial period. The political process leading up to this was flawed in almost every respect but the outcome is promising. The number of cars commuting into town has been reduced significantly. The upcoming referendum might well lead to the system being adopted permanently.
The two railway tracks built across Riddarholmen in the 19th century are still the only capacity available through central Stockholm. Period. This has been debated longer than anyone cares to remember. Now a decision has been taken to build a City Tunnel doubling the capacity of the railroads through the city.
Both these initiatives involved local politicians but they occurred on Göran Perssons watch and this was no coincidence. In fact, his government was directly involved in both issues. A Prime Minister passionate about the environment made a difference.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
6 ...
7 a Stockholm less congested
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-06-06
hooray?
We got ourselves an official national day last year. And here it is again: June 6. Hooray? Not really. Here’s why.
Leaving aside the fact that it’s rather unclear what historic event is associated with the official celebrations attempted today – to me it all boils down to the issue of nationalism. In a nutshell: do we or do we not need more flag-waving and singing of national anthems in this world? Here are some problems mankind is facing in the imminent future:
- intolerance
- wars
- terrorism
- pandemic
- climate change
I fail to see how nationalism could help us on any of these issues. In fact, I’d argue that with less nationalism in this world we’d be doing a lot better on all of them.
So, are flag-waving Swedes intolerant war-mongers? Of course not. If you enjoy celebrating our national identity, by all means, bring on the party. I’d rather spend some time reading about the European constitution. That would be a major cause for celebration.
2006-06-05
top ten Persson (8) pro-Israel
One area where Göran Persson has chosen to change course is the conflicts always surrounding Israel. There is still a lot of leftist-activism in the party (and even in his government) advocating tolerance for terrorists and a one-eyed criticism against almost anything Israel does to defend itself. But those of us old enough to remember the heydays of Foreign Secretary Sten Andersson see a distinct difference. Sweden is clearly supporting the only established democracy in the region. The fact that Andersson has complained publicly about the new course is itself a good sign.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
7 ...
8 pro-Israel
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-06-01
June in Härnösand

Härnösand

How should one spend those brief weeks of light and joy that we call June? Going north of course. Härnösand with the loveliest of Swedish cathedrals is not a bad choice. Go see.
2006-05-30
sad ending to May in Falsterbo
top ten with Persson (9) environmental awareness
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
8
9 environmental awareness
10 an international defence
2006-05-28
top ten Persson (10) an international defence
Sweden has had peace for centuries. Without trouble around our borders we could use our resources in conflicts abroad where international assistance is necessary. Sweden has a long tradition of supporting UN missions but under Göran Persson our forces are increasingly involved in multilateral efforts. This is a constructive engagement and our military badly need the exercise. It also helps integrate us into an international framework thus slowly preparing the ground for a joint European defense.
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
9 ...
10 an international defence
2006-05-27
ten reasons to appreciate Göran Persson
Find ten good things to say about your opponent!
Not trivial stuff like he’s got a nice shirt or supports the same football team. Politically relevant reasons to appreciate your opponent.
I’ve never voted for the Social Democrats and probably never will. So there’s my challenge and here I go. I made my top-ten list of positive things from a decade with Prime Minister Persson.
The countdown begins tomorrow.
2006-05-21
"no comment"
2006-05-20
where is Jeb?
US Presidents are rarely recruited from the Senate. Many senators have tried. Al Gore almost made it. But the dream is still alive with quite a few on Capitol Hill. Few believe that Hillary Clinton would be satisfied to top her career with a senatorship. Instead, speculations are increasingly focused around her and how she tries to reposition herself as a moderate just in time for the 2008 campaign.
My firm belief is that eight Clinton years are quite enough, thank you. But I can understand the tantalizing perspective of the Bush and Clinton families already maintaining control for two entire decades:
- George Bush 1989-1993
- Bill Clinton 1993-2001
- George W Bush 2001-2009
Mona Charen cautions us to take Hillary seriously:
If Hillary Clinton is to be kept from the Oval Office, Republicans will need a game plan... Example: Hillary should not be permitted to keep silent on issues that may box her in. Her preferred tactic is to coast to the nomination without having to commit herself. Republicans should demand to hear her views on taxes, on the United Nations, on tort reform, on the Patriot Act, Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, in short, on every conceivable question that will bear on the 2008 race.
If senators rarely reach the Oval Office, governors frequently do.
Now, where is Jeb ?
2006-05-19
crystal walls all over again
In a novel from 1951 Bradbury challenges our perception of kids' playrooms. With the help of images projected on large screens their imagination is amplified to a point where things… well… start happening.
And now I read on Wired that large projected images can keep kids engaged.
Better lock the door.
2006-05-16
"a useful bridge to even greener sources of energy"
There is good reason to give nuclear power a fresh look. It can diversify our sources of energy with a fuel - uranium - that is both abundant and inexpensive. More important, nuclear energy can replace fossil-fuel power plants for generating electricity, reducing the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute heavily to global warming.
Finland decided to revive its nuclear program a few years ago and is about to expand it further. How many years should Sweden waste before deciding to follow their example? Could we at least stop dismantling fully functional reactors and terminate the government of Göran Persson?
2006-05-15
back to the future in Ådalen
The clash 75 years ago between striking workers and armed forces which cost the lives of five people is a shameful episode to be remembered. Still, we can be grateful to live in a country where this kind of oppression hasn’t occurred in almost a century and where the like is nowhere to be seen today.
The Social Democrats keep bringing up the events of Ådalen. Facing a new world with Latvian builders, a unified European defense structure and a looming showdown between freedom and oppression in the Muslim world looking back is natural for a party with no strategy for the present, much less the future. Still, if there are any intellectuals left in the party of Göran Persson they should be pretty embarrassed by now. Instead of offering a vision for the future, instead of showcasing their recent track record they insist on trying to invent an enemy who simply hasn’t been around for 75 years.
2006-05-14
inland challenge outline
Mariestad
Orsa
Östersund
Storuman
Jokkmokk
Karesuando
Gällivare
Sorsele
Strömsund
Noppikoski
Names like music to my ears... Now, what road could this be?
2006-05-13
140 g/km
Autopia has a piece on the way forward.
According to the European Federation for Transport and Environment (as reported by EEMS), vehicles in the EU are supposed to reduce CO2 emissions to 140 g/km by 2008, but 2006 vehicles emit 160 g/km, down just one percent from the year before.
Link here.
2006-05-08
inland challenge
2006-05-01
May in Falsterbo

Strandbadet, Falsterbo

Spring doesn't seem to be in any hurry this year but some things are simply worth waiting for. Go see.
2006-04-20
less green peace in the greenhouse
"More than 600 coal-fired electric plants in the United States produce 36 percent of U.S. emissions -- or nearly 10 percent of global emissions -- of CO2, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Nuclear energy is the only large-scale, cost-effective energy source that can reduce these emissions while continuing to satisfy a growing demand for power. And these days it can do so safely."
We have wasted so many years wishing that something ”better” would be available shortly. Meanwhile the global warming continues and accelerates.
2006-04-11
notizie difettose per l'Italia
Italian leftist coalitions are unstable by definition. This time the populous mandate is weak at a time when the young Italian nation is being challenged by stagnating growth as well as increasing domestic tension. Formally Prodi has won a five year term. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have turmoil within five months. So if he really wants this job, Silvio Berlusconi would be well-advised to stick around for a while.
2006-04-09
five more years?
Still, I give him credit for providing a stable government coalition in Italy. That was something unheard of in a country which on average changed government once or twice per year. I give him credit for keeping the communists in the cold. The fact that the communist party has been considered one of the country’s leading forces has been a national shame for decades. And I give him credit for standing by the US on the Iraq issue. When most leaders on this continent went into hiding in 2003 or tried some populist pirouettes Silvio stood firm.
Berlusconi remains the best choice available as far as I’m concerned. We’ll soon find out what the Italian voters think.
2006-04-01
April in Lund

Domkyrkan, Lund

Not entirely unlike something from Star Wars, the Lund Cathedral is a colossal stony thing from just about any perspective. Not much beauty around but impressive for sure. Go see.
2006-03-29
large positive Arctic anomaly
2006-03-27
the exception
So why am I surprised? Why has it become unusual to have a minister who is actually qualified within his area of responsibility? Why does Jan Eliasson have to be the exception to the rule?
2006-03-24
the times they are a’changin’…
2006-03-20
hello Equinox
Update: Apparently it's Monday March 20 at 19:26 CET. I should have finished that astronomy class...
Update #2: Hey!? That's today, half an hour ago. We're almost into summer already!
2006-03-18
still a fan
I used to follow EuroSong closely. Missing the event was unthinkable. Every year resulted in two additional video tapes in my collection, one for the Swedish preselection and one for the finals. Well, no more of that. I dislike some of the recent changes. I miss the orchestra; miss the days when the artists, backing vocals and orchestra were actually performing live. I think the lyrics in the Swedish competition should be just that – in Swedish. And all in all, I think the jury system gave us better songs than today’s phone voting. I guess I’m just getting older.
So I won’t be watching the spectacle tonight, might tune in to the radio coverage though. I’ll read all about it in my newspaper tomorrow and I’ll definitely buy the double CD with all 32 Swedish songs. The discs from last year are running non-stop in my car these days.
And there you have it. I’m still a fan. Like most of us. And I still think Martin Stenmarck should have won last year.
2006-03-15
wrong focus
That’s the official tag line, at least.
So, are we debating the purpose of the Monopoly? Are we discussing how Systembolaget fulfills it purpose? Are we considering the leadership of Anitra Steen?
Of course not. We’re busy contemplating her future pension. Wrong focus. Again.
2006-03-12
what a difference a year makes
Looking back it’s been a remarkable year. I returned to the University. I found a new job. I got my first car. No big deal? Well, in my life it is.
So what are you waiting for? Go make a difference in your life. Now when you can. Don't wait. Franz Schubert didn't.
2006-03-09
four or five glasses
2006-03-01
2006-02-26
7
2006-02-24
”enjoy your flight!”
I happened to take an airplane the other day. It’s not exactly an every-year experience but it does happen. Last time was in 2003. Before that, uhm… 1992.
I suppose it’s some kind of irony. Does anyone actually enjoy a flight?
Even if you’re totally uninterested in the environmental pollution and fuel gobbling, even if you’re not among those who are scared of taking off on wings of steel and even if you’re not in pain while landing (like most kids, some adults and me)… would anyone really enjoy sitting crammed between strangers in the most claustrophobic fashion?
I wouldn’t think so.
Flying is fast, surprisingly cheap and sometimes necessary. But it’s not enjoyable.
2006-02-18
more whining than dining
His government spends billions of crowns on the most questionable ventures. Could our beloved journalists kindly focus their attention in that direction instead? I’ve had enough of this kind of nonsense journalism. Would our media be happy if Foreign Secretary Freivalds brings her own lunch box to the next government conference?
2006-02-13
Further comments on Sahlin
2006-02-04
still kicking
I suppose the main reason for my per sistence :) is the fact that I had a slightly more realistic approach than some fellow bloggers. I certainly didn’t expect a rise to fame but I enjoy expressing myself in all sorts of formats and the web log is a convenient way of sharing a thought or maybe a picture. And I never accepted the idea that a blogger has to publish things on a daily basis whether she has anything to say or not. In my world, it’s better to wait until I’ve got something on my mind.
My thanks to those who haven’t given up on reading and a special thanks to those who commented. There haven’t been many comments. Unfortunately Blogger does not provide the reader with any hint about where in a blog some recent comment has appeared. So when there actually is a bit of dialogue a while after the initial post, like on the Sahlin topic (thanks Dave!) most readers will miss it unless I re-post or advertise in some other fashion.
Anyway, welcome to a second year of per spective.
2006-02-01
February in Östersund

Frösö Kyrka, Östersund

Frösön and particularly Frösö Kyrka is a lovely place. Magnificent surroundings, rich with history and culture. This February morning marked my first visit in 2004 and I would keep on returning there whenever I could during that remarkable year. Go see.
2006-01-24
to those who dare

2006-01-16
New Horizons some 3 billion miles away
2006-01-14
an extraordinary world with different ingredients
I’ve been fascinated by space exploration since I was a kid and to this day I’m amazed at the accomplishments of NASA. Navigating and controlling sophisticated equipment in an extremely hostile environment, at distances we cannot even imagine and without the slightest chance of servicing or fixing any hardware…
The touchdown on the surface of Titan marked the farthest a man-made spacecraft has successfully landed away from Earth.
Clear images of the surface of Titan were obtained below an altitude of 40 kilometers (25 miles) -- revealing an extraordinary world that resembled Earth in many respects, especially in meteorology, geomorphology and fluvial activity, but with different ingredients. The images show strong evidence for erosion due to liquid flows, possibly methane.
Cassini-Huygens press release here.
2006-01-11
further downhill with the Krona
This Total Competitiveness Weights index is a tool for measuring the strength of the Swedish krona against a set of other currencies. Index 100 corresponds to Nov 18, 1992 when Sweden introduced a floating exchange rate. Index 129,37 means that the krona has lost almost 30% of its value. Most of this happened at the currency crisis in the fall of 1992. The index hit 120 early 1993. But it’s interesting that after all the proud proclamations about how our currency was supposed to recover it has continued further downhill another ten percent.
2006-01-09
a future less congested
Hold your horses! Congestion charges could prove an election (and referendum) winner for the red-green governing coalition.
Objectives of the Stockholm Trials are:
• Reduce traffic volumes on the busiest roads by 10-15%
• Improve the flow of traffic on streets and roads
• Reduce emissions of pollutants harmful to human health and of carbon dioxide
• Improve the urban environment as perceived by Stockholm residents
• Provide more resources for public transport
My guess is that the Trials will succeed in easing traffic jam. Congestion charges will become more accepted and even popular with those who live in the city. Mark my words: by September many critics will have fallen silent.
The Stockholm Trials have emerged through a disastrous political process. There are obvious flaws in the implementation. Yet, the idea of using good old market economy principles to put a price on a scarce resource remains our best hope for a future less congested.